Allreaders.com
Author Daniel B. Brawner booklist (click here)

Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Employment Is Murder by Daniel B. Brawner



Five Star, Aug 2004, 25.95, 268 pp.
ISBN: 1594141894

In his thirties, Simon wants to prove to the parents of his beloved Amy that he can be a responsible person so the New Age mythologist obtains a job working as a sales trainee at the Bulgarian-American owned Going Platinum, a golf club supplier. His friend Kerry tells him to forget this employment stuff because whenever Simon gains work the FBI follows as the firms are always are pulling scams. Simon takes the job and competes with Steve Merritt for a permanent position.

Shockingly, Simon sells more than Steve, who is obviously the better salesman as ethics do not faze him when it comes to making a sale. Unbeknownst to Simon, his sales are pre-arranged because he is actually abetting a smuggling ring. When Steve turns up dead with a putter rammed down his throat Simon makes inquiries even as Amy wants him to quit. With help from a team of misfits including a ghost, Simon makes inquiries using out of body investigative techniques even as Amy threatens to leave him. Although he would do almost anything for his Amy, Simon must restore mythological equilibrium if he is to feel worthy of his beloved

Readers who appreciate a weird hero will want to read this amusing amateur sleuth tale starring a person who beats to a different drum. The murder and crimes are developed around Simon's simple lifestyle like his delightful first encounter with his future in-laws who redefine what he says to fit their prototype for a successful male. Daniel B. Brawner delights readers with a unique tale starring a distinctive protagonist.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain? - Difficult, but some clues given
Time/era of story:
What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 70%
Kind of investigator
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
descript. of violence and chases - 10 %
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 %
Crime Thriller Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's
Ethnicity/Race

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
Profession/status:
Motive of antagonist - money/treasure
How sensitive is this character?

Setting
United States Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
Back To Main Menu